Italy coach Antonio Conte and Atalanta’s Stefano Colantuono are among 130 people who face formal investigation after prosecutors concluded a four-year probe into match-fixing, the Italian news agency Ansa said yesterday.
Conte, who has already served a ban imposed by the Italian federation (FIGC) in connection with the case but has always denied any wrongdoing, was accused of “sports fraud” following the probe by prosecutors in Cremona.
The alleged wrongdoing dates back to 2011 when Conte, who went on to win three successive Serie A titles with Juventus before being appointed Italy coach last year, was in charge of Siena in Serie B.
Colantuono is being investigated over a match against Crotone in 2011, also in Serie B.
The 130 named in the report will be formally notified that they are under investigation which in Italy is usually the last step before the case goes to court.
Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri, former Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni and former Italy forward Giuseppe Signore were also named in the 107 page report compiled by state prosecutor Roberto Di Martino.
The investigation followed attempts to manipulate matches in Serie B, the Italian second division, and the third tier Lega Pro during the 2010/11 season, with some Coppa Italia matches also involved.
Investigations have been led by police and state prosecutors from Cremona, a northern Italian city of around 70,000 people, after a report from local side Cremonese uncovered the scandal.
Meanwhile, Conte has dismissed speculation he wanted to quit after clubs refused to release players for a training camp this week.
Following a meeting with Italian federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio, Conte told reporters yesterday that he would see out a contract that runs until July next year “whether some people like it or not”.
“I have started out on a journey and I’m happy to have done so. That journey includes qualifying for the European Championship (in 2016),” he added.
“I repeat that I am, and will, remain coach of the national side. I will respect the contract...and hope I don’t have to repeat this any more.”